Ironman distance bike issues?

During an Ironman race, I understand you're supposed to carry some basic repair gear (spare tubes,
spare tire or tires, some method of inflating, tire levers and maybe a multi-tool; am I missing
anything major here?).

What happens if, say, you have 2 spare tubes, you get two flats, and then you get another flat? Is
it "too bad, so sad, you don't get to finish the race"? Or are there people on the course who can
(legally) help you out, perhaps for a fee and perhaps not as quickly as you might like?

At this point, I'm thinking that I'd probably try to take 2 tubes and a spare tire. I have a
little saddle bag that holds one tube; I'm not sure what I'll do with the other stuff at this
point. Any ideas?

What if you have more serious technical issues? I plan to get a tune-up about 3 weeks before the
race, but you never know. . . .

I'd just hate to do all that training and get a mechanical DNF.

In particular, the race I'm asking about is a WTC race (Wisconsin).

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."

- Homer J. Simpson

 

Harold, A couple of thoughts. 1st make sure you have very good tires. I have done 12 IMs and never
had any flats or other mechanical problems. That's not all by chance, it's also putting the odds in
my favor. Next, the WTC races do have some nuetral support. You may have to wait a while, but if you
have already had 2 flats, time won't be much of an issue. Lastly, all I carry is one spare tubular
(much easier and much more flat resistant), CO2, and adaptor. You really don't need a rolling tool
shop on your light weight bike. Good luck and have fun! Good Luck! David Never give up, Be satisfied
w/ your best, Do unto others.....

 

Harold--don't stress too much about bike issues; the scenario you describe happened to me at an
Alcatraz race a few years ago...after hitching a ride to the bike finish, I blasted through the run
course, but the race was still a DNF technically. The point is, stuff happens and sometimes there's
not much you can do *at that moment*...

Having said that...go ahead and do your 3-week-prior tuneup, but also take advantage of the
race-week setups and have another one done. Put new tires and tubes on, and do at least one ride on
them before race day so you are sure they are seated properly.

In my 3 IM's, I've not yet (*cue sound of wood being knocked on*) had a bike issue. As has been
mentioned, in the M-Dot races (and indeed, in most other non M-Dot races as well) there is some form
of neutral support that can help out in a bind.

Mike C

>From: Harold Buck

>During an Ironman race, I understand you're supposed to carry some basic repair gear (spare tubes,
>spare tire or tires, some method of inflating, tire levers and maybe a multi-tool; am I missing
>anything major here?).
>
>What happens if, say, you have 2 spare tubes, you get two flats, and then you get another flat? Is
>it "too bad, so sad, you don't get to finish the race"? Or are there people on the course who can
>(legally) help you out, perhaps for a fee and perhaps not as quickly as you might like?
>
>At this point, I'm thinking that I'd probably try to take 2 tubes and a spare tire. I have a
>little saddle bag that holds one tube; I'm not sure what I'll do with the other stuff at this
>point. Any ideas?
>
>What if you have more serious technical issues? I plan to get a tune-up about 3 weeks before the
>race, but you never know. . . .
>
>I'd just hate to do all that training and get a mechanical DNF.
>
>In particular, the race I'm asking about is a WTC race (Wisconsin).
>
>--Harold Buck
>
>
>"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."
>
> - Homer J. Simpson
>
>
>

 

I had 2 tubular flats at WF last weekend and DNF'd. Next day I went on a training ride and one of my
buddies flatted 3 times in 30 miles.

Sooo for IM CDA I'm considering carrying 2 tubulars stuffed into a bottle cage off the back of my
saddle...adding a bottle cage to my frame. Better safe than sorry.

[email protected] (Mike Conway) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Harold--don't stress too much about bike issues; the scenario you describe happened to me at an
> Alcatraz race a few years ago...after hitching a ride to the bike finish, I blasted through the
> run course, but the race was still a DNF technically. The point is, stuff happens and sometimes
> there's not much you can do *at that moment*...
>
> Having said that...go ahead and do your 3-week-prior tuneup, but also take advantage of the
> race-week setups and have another one done. Put new tires and tubes on, and do at least one ride
> on them before race day so you are sure they are seated properly.
>
> In my 3 IM's, I've not yet (*cue sound of wood being knocked on*) had a bike issue. As has been
> mentioned, in the M-Dot races (and indeed, in most other non M-Dot races as well) there is some
> form of neutral support that can help out in a bind.
>
> Mike C
>
> >From: Harold Buck
>
> >During an Ironman race, I understand you're supposed to carry some basic repair gear (spare
> >tubes, spare tire or tires, some method of inflating, tire levers and maybe a multi-tool; am I
> >missing anything major here?).
> >
> >What happens if, say, you have 2 spare tubes, you get two flats, and then you get another flat?
> >Is it "too bad, so sad, you don't get to finish the race"? Or are there people on the course who
> >can (legally) help you out, perhaps for a fee and perhaps not as quickly as you might like?
> >
> >At this point, I'm thinking that I'd probably try to take 2 tubes and a spare tire. I have a
> >little saddle bag that holds one tube; I'm not sure what I'll do with the other stuff at this
> >point. Any ideas?
> >
> >What if you have more serious technical issues? I plan to get a tune-up about 3 weeks before the
> >race, but you never know. . . .
> >
> >I'd just hate to do all that training and get a mechanical DNF.
> >
> >In particular, the race I'm asking about is a WTC race (Wisconsin).
> >
> >--Harold Buck
> >
> >
> >"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."
> >
> > - Homer J. Simpson
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

 

For IMCDA, I'm going to carry 2 tubes, 2 CO2's, and maybe a lever. I'll put 2 more tubes & CO2's in
my special needs bag. I can't imagine having more than 4 flats; uh,oh, now I'm doomed.

Have a good race, Andy

"Harold Buck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> During an Ironman race, I understand you're supposed to carry some basic repair gear (spare tubes,
> spare tire or tires, some method of inflating, tire levers and maybe a multi-tool; am I missing
> anything major here?).
>
> What happens if, say, you have 2 spare tubes, you get two flats, and then you get another flat? Is
> it "too bad, so sad, you don't get to finish the race"? Or are there people on the course who can
> (legally) help you out, perhaps for a fee and perhaps not as quickly as you might like?
>
> At this point, I'm thinking that I'd probably try to take 2 tubes and a spare tire. I have a
> little saddle bag that holds one tube; I'm not sure what I'll do with the other stuff at this
> point. Any ideas?
>
> What if you have more serious technical issues? I plan to get a tune-up about 3 weeks before the
> race, but you never know. . . .
>
> I'd just hate to do all that training and get a mechanical DNF.
>
> In particular, the race I'm asking about is a WTC race (Wisconsin).
>
> --Harold Buck
>
>
> "I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Then it was every other day. . . ."
>
> - Homer J. Simpson

 

What you need to do is get a large basket or picnic hamper and attach it to your bike.

You can then *FILL* the basket to the brim whith tyres, tubs, levers, spanners, screwdrivers, allen
keys, bolts, doughnuts, pliers, pincers, dibbers, gardening rake, hosepipe, lawn clippers, hedge
trimmer, strimmer, beard clippers, pint glass, coffee pot, saucepan, pressure cooker, mini stove,
tent, cable cutters, crimp tool, iron bar (?), crowbar, spare underwear, toothpaste, hair brush,
photos of the kids and wife, photos of the Mistress, photos of your dog, a CD player, a popcorn
maker, a hotdog cooker, a book with the 100 most used adjectives in French Guinea, a porn mag, a
blow up doll - complete with three holes, a used condom, a fishing rod, a baseball bat, a pair of
melons, a packet of chips...............